Language Learning
The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing put together a list of local ASL classes, which WML updated in July of 2024. Some of in-person, some are virtual. All with cost something.
Sites
A wide variety of resources for learning ASL from the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The school is the first public school to have district and state approval as a Dual Language program, qualifying students for the Seal of Biliteracy. Horace Mann School empowers students as Deaf individuals to be lifelong learners and innovative thinkers with diverse linguistic, ethnic, and cultural identities who are fluent in both American Sign Language and English.
This resource seeks to bridge the gap between those who interact with people who use ASL as their language, their employers, teachers, professors, friends, and family. Almost half a million people in the United States use ASL, and this resource provides beginning, intermediate and advanced resources for those who wish to learn ASL, include ASL in their daily life, learn about the history of ASL and more.
If you’re a Deaf or hard-of-hearing PhD student, you’re likely navigating academic environments that weren’t built for you, causing inequities that can hold you back. These barriers can feel insurmountable if you’re unable to receive appropriate accommodations or lack access to empathetic, culturally competent staff and instructors.
Tools
Our name comes from the Greek word ‘diglot’ which means bilingual. And we chose it because we understand your language, whether you speak, write or sign. Our customer service team is ready to help you by phone, videophone/ASL, text or email. We’re here to help you find the products that solve your challenges. Our mission is to make sure that how you hear never stops you from doing what you want in life.
Our real-time captioning technology makes phone calls easy and accessible for the deaf and hard of hearing community. Certified by the FCC – Offered at no cost to individuals with hearing loss.
Never take meeting notes again. Get transcripts, automated summaries, action items, and chat with Otter to get answers from your meetings.
Mass Equipment Distribution Program
MassEDP offers specialized telephones, both wireline and wireless to residents who have permanent disabilities. You may be able to get these telephones for free or at reduced cost. Please note, for wireless devices MassEDP DOES NOT provide service plans.
Our free and confidential relay service enables those who are disabled to communicate over regular telephone lines through the use of a relay operator.
Visor Card for Deaf and hard of hearing drivers to help more easily communicate with law enforcement
Guides
- Massachusetts Modern Guide to Hearing Loss here: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2019/10/16/modern_guide_hearing_loss.pdf
- Massachusetts COVID-19 Visual tool here: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/covid-19-card
- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Data Brief on Hearing Loss: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db414.htm
